Aspire Community Transformation Inaugurates Second Edition of "Regional Sustainable Development Forum" Under the Patronage of the Ministries of "Youth and Sports" and "Environment"

Under the Patronage of Ministries of Youth and Sports and Environment: Second Edition of "Regional Sustainable Development Forum" Kicks Off in Cairo

Cairo - Eco - Fady Labib - 29 November 2025 – Under the patronage of the Ministries of Youth and Sports and Environment, the second edition of the Regional Sustainable Development Forum (RSD) officially launched today...

 

The event is organized by Aspire Community Transformation, affiliated with Aspire Consulting International, and hosted at Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development.

 The forum features the participation of Senior government officials, decision-makers, experts, and representatives of local and international institutions concerned with sustainable development .

 

The opening ceremony was attended by Ms. Nanis Al-Naqouri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Head of the Central Administration for Youth Empowerment; Dr. Ahlam Farouk, Head of the Central Administration for Industrial Environment Improvement and Energy at the Ministry of Environment; Mr. Bassem Emad, CEO of Aspire International Consulting; Ms. Nanis Yousry, Aspire Community Transformation Director and RSD forum Director and Mr. Helmy Abouleish, CEO of SEKEM Group.

 

The forum aims to provide an innovative regional platform to discuss the future of sustainable development, showcase best practices in corporate social responsibility, explore the latest trends in designing and implementing development programs, and highlight the role of the private sector in supporting and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event contributes to reinforcing comprehensive development efforts across the region.

 

In his opening remarks, Bassem Emad, CEO of Aspire Consulting International, extended his sincere appreciation to Mr. Helmy Abouleish, CEO of SEKEM Group, for hosting the forum. He stated:

 

"The coming phase requires redefining the concept of collaborative work. At Aspire, our vision goes beyond conventional partnerships; we aim to build an integrated ecosystem where synergy and unified efforts serve one shared purpose. This integration is the driving force that will enable us to reach unprecedented levels of innovation and introduce groundbreaking ideas in sustainable development. Most importantly, such large-scale strategic collaboration is key to expanding our reach and impact—providing access to beneficiaries and communities at a scale unattainable by individual entities, thus amplifying our positive influence on community development as a whole."

 

The forum features two main panel discussions focusing on the top priorities of sustainable development in today’s landscape.

 

The first session, titled “Enhancing National Strength Through Youth Empowerment” discusses ways to support the role of youth as a driving force for development and future-building, with the participation of Ms. Nanis Al-Naqouri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Head of the Central Administration for Youth Empowerment.

 

The second session, titled “Green Economy and Environmental Innovation,” explores pathways toward a green economy and the role of environmental innovation in addressing climate challenges and enhancing environmental sustainability, featuring Dr. Ahlam Farouk, Head of the Central Administration for Industrial Environment Improvement and Energy at the Ministry of Environment.

 

The forum's program includes a variety of events, practical workshops, and dialogue sessions bringing together experts and decision-makers, focusing on enhancing community leadership skills, environmental innovation, and social entrepreneurship, in addition to opening spaces for dialogue, experience exchange, and partnership building.

 

The second edition of the Regional Sustainable Development Forum welcomes a distinguished group of strategic partners from Egypt and abroad, foremost among them Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development, Arweqah Al-Riyada from Saudi Arabia, the forum’s technology partner ZOHO, and the Golden Partner SEKEM.

 

Additionally, several prominent international organizations are participating, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Save the Children, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Terre des Hommes.

 

The forum also sees strong involvement from civil society organizations in Egypt, including Fahim Foundation for Psychological Support, Baheya Foundation for Breast Cancer Early Detection and Treatment, Egyptian Clothing Bank, Sanad Foundation for Alternative Parental Care, and MedFest Egypt.

 

 

 

Bassim Emad added:

 

"The forum offers a valuable opportunity to present pioneering experiences in corporate social responsibility and to highlight successful models that integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions. This supports Egypt’s national sustainable development agenda and contributes to advancing Egypt’s Vision 2030, while aligning with international efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

 

Ms. Nanis Yousry, Aspire Community Transformation Director and RSD forum Director, emphasized the importance of the forum, describing it as “an essential opportunity for development leaders in both the public and private sectors to exchange experiences, openly address challenges, and explore vast opportunities for sustainable growth.”

 

She added:

 

"Our main objective is to open spaces for constructive dialogue and collaboration among decision-makers, entrepreneurs, civil society, and the private sector, ensuring effective integration among economic, social, and environmental dimensions to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development for all."

 

On the sidelines of the forum, a special ceremony will be held to honor a group of influential institutions and figures from Egypt and the region for their outstanding contributions to sustainable development. Heliopolis University for Sustainable Development will be recognized for its pioneering role in promoting a sustainability-driven educational model, along with Generation Amazing (Qatar) for its effective use of sports as a tool to drive social development.

 

 

 

The ceremony will also present the Sustainable Mobility Award to MCV in recognition of its advanced initiatives in environmentally friendly transportation solutions, and the Sustainable Construction Leadership Award to Lafarge for its efforts in promoting low-emission construction practices and supporting green-economy principles.

 

In addition, the Transformative Educational Leadership Award will be granted to Dr. Malak Zaalouk in acknowledgement of her academic leadership and significant contributions to advancing education and supporting sustainable learning pathways.

 

The list of honorees also includes renowned screenwriter Mariam Naoum, recognized for the wide-reaching social impact of her artistic work, as well as Professor Laila El-Baradei, Professor of Public Administration at The American University in Cairo, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in Academic Leadership in recognition of her profound legacy and enduring influence on public policy locally and internationally.